The new power system was the one thing I was most curious about, but so far it seems to be a disappointment. No flexibility whatsoever. If you want to run a train, you have to do it with one train motor. I don't know what else will be released, but I'm not impressed yet.

I got the impression that my GP rechargeable AA batteries were a tighter fit in my PF TECHNIC AA battery box, compared to alkaline AA batteries (probably Duracell). They were harder to remove. But I don't think there are differences that large that it will become borderline impossible to use AAA batteries of any given brand,if the TECHNIC box is of any indication (I haven't used my AAA box yet).

The only reason for them to use the 24 stud plates is costs I think. 28 is slightly longer what looks better, while still short enough for a playset.
I think I'll go with 46 studs max for six-wide carriages in MOCs.

I actually grew up with the 4559, and thought it was great back in the day. I didn't care about realism at that age (I converted it to a roadside assistance train, not realizing how impractical it would be). Later I wish I got the Metroliner instead - but when the Metroliner was still available I was young-ish for trains, and other stuff was higher on my list.
Yes, they used big nose pieces in the past, but with the red train I was really hoping they would break with that bad habit. I rather see they released a new track piece instead. Related to that: why was the 7996 crossing discontinued again? Did it not sell enough?
Anyway, are those pantographs new parts? I can't recall seeing them before. A bit too small IMO. I think those look off on the freight train. I find that building ugly, but the forklift looks nice and the crane looks very well done IMO.
Speaking about new parts: I'm very curious about the new battery box. The receiver integrated would allow designs otherwise impossible. I hope they didn't put any Technic holes in the sides or something like that. And please, let it be dark bley again. :D

I'm no fan of the new front. It's prefab, while TLG showed us they can make good-looking brick-built train fronts. But it's an ugly prefab IMO. The older train at least looked like the real deal. What's this? It doesn't look like a light rail, it doesn't look like an intercity, it doesn't look like a high-speed train... unless you make it very cartoonish. If I'm wrong, I would like to see a pic of a real monstrosity train that looks like this. Before people start about the target audience of LEGO trains: there were plenty of trains released that looked realistic. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, let's agree to disagree.
So, a new mould. A copy is not what we are waiting for, I agree with that. But now they invest in a new part, that likely will be released in a single set only (again), with not many other purposes. I would rather see they did invest in more general usable parts. The elements of the Metroliner appeared in other sets while they were considered too specialized by some. Not even starting about the 7938, in my eyes the best regularly available passenger train in the last 20 years. With a front mainly consisting of standard bricks.
And no more train station? If there at least was a decent platform in the passenger train set, but the platform included is not even the length of a single track element. Well, it's bigger than the Euro-pallet sized "platform" in the previous train I guess.
I really don't like how the quality of designs is declining IMO, especially compared to better parts becoming available. I really do look forward to PF 2.0
As for that Alsthom locomotive: plenty of European railroads use Alsthom locomotives that look like that one. With quite a number of MOC's in 6-wide around, I'm curious how an official set would compare. If they release something like that, people will mod it into the different colours for sure.

A passenger train that looks like an EMU, only with one front. And again a new prefab design. They could do it in the past, why can't they do it now?
Hard to please? I don't know. The red passenger train (7938) looks awesome compared to this, even 60051 looks more complete. Not counting the Horizon Express, this is the first passenger train since the 9V era that looks unfinished to me.

Me noticing this topic only now is a clear indication that I should visit EB more often, or becoming more active with Lego in general. Nice to read all the progress. Years ago I was briefly interested in building a monorail myself, also based on Hidaka's work, but lack of parts prevented me from building and trying anything, and I lost my interest. But I'll keep an eye on this topic.

I really like @HoMa's designs, it pushes me to try to bring my own works in progress to a higher level of detail. Too bad that kinda resulted in me getting overcritical about my NS 200 locomotor, and now I'm still not sure if I should complete it.
Some other designs that I like are from @aawsum and @dj_legostyle because of what they manage to achieve in six wide.